KC Royals: The Player The Division Rivals Hate To Face

Jun 2, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Kansas City Royals catcher Drew Butera (9) celebrates his two-run home run with right fielder Jarrod Dyson (1) and shortstop Alcides Escobar (2) in the third inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 2, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Kansas City Royals catcher Drew Butera (9) celebrates his two-run home run with right fielder Jarrod Dyson (1) and shortstop Alcides Escobar (2) in the third inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 31, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals catcher Drew Butera (9) is congratulated by third baseman Cheslor Cuthbert (19) and first baseman Eric Hosmer (35) after scoring against the Tampa Bay Rays in the fourth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
May 31, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals catcher Drew Butera (9) is congratulated by third baseman Cheslor Cuthbert (19) and first baseman Eric Hosmer (35) after scoring against the Tampa Bay Rays in the fourth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports /

What’s the key to a third straight postseason berth?

The Royals wowed all of us in 2014 by making the playoffs and putting together everything but the storybook ending on a storybook postseason.

In 2015, they came out on a mission and proved that 2014 was no fluke. At this point, just making it back to the postseason for a third straight year should be considered gravy.

More from KC Kingdom

In 2015, the KC Royals didn’t have a losing record to a single division foe. They were 12-7 against both the White Sox and the Twins. They also posted records of 10-9 against the Tigers and Indians.

In 2014, the Royals went 13-6 against the White Sox and 11-8 against the Twins. They posted losing records of 9-10 against the Indians and 6-13 against the Tigers. In 2014, they were 39-37 against the division and 44-32 in 2015.

While the Royals have shown that the Indians may be the team to beat in the division, they’re currently on pace to win 44.8 games in the division this year. That ties the mark they set last season and would almost guarantee them a shot at the playoffs.

It’s also not a requirement that the Royals beat everyone in the division to make the playoffs. The Tigers crushed the Royals in 2014, but they didn’t make it past the first round of the playoffs.

Next: Royals Top Seasons EVER

While it would be great for the Royals to roll the division, much as they did in 2015, this year is bound to be a roller coaster ride full of ups and downs. Right now the Royals are above .500 and are struggling a bit. They’ve also shown the resiliency to bounce back and make things happen.